The New Hampshire Gazette

Mr. Yeoman Youth,

SIR,

As yours in our Paper of the 20th of January, in Answer to Mr. Bachellor, demands nothing particularly relating to that reasonable Gentleman: I look upon it as a Point of Duty, in those who have tasted the delightful Friendship of the Fair Sex, to appear in Vindication of their injur'd Honor. Mankind, however deprav'd, are not all govern'd by the same scandalous Sentiments, so freely exprels'd in your unmanly Quotation; which indeed wou'd be scarce worthy of Notice, were it not, that a Number of others with you, expected a Reply; who you declare to be "Well meaning pious Youth ..... A Character, none but the most abandon'd, can assume in Sport.... I must therefore, in Charity suppose you sincere, and treat you with the following Candor.

I shall not give myself the Trouble, to animadvert upon all the abusive Reflections, in your wise Author's Piece; nor scrutinize into the grammatical Construction of his lengthy Periods; in which he has very much obscur'd his Meaning by a Redundancy of Words; but endeavour to pick out his Principles, and answer them in as short a Method as I can.

"Love." he says, "contracts an unlawful Passion, and fixes it on one Object; whereas our Fellow Creatures, the Brutes, promiscuously use every Female of their respective Species, without Distinction; from which Privilege, Man is withheld, by the Severity of the Law."..... I answer....All unlawful Passions, ought to be controuled, or rather wholly restrained; and it is unreasonable to call the Law severe, for curbing such vile Propensities, by giving a loose to which, we should destroy all Decency, Order and Government; and, according to his Scheme, expose the nearest Ties of Consanguinity, in common with the rest of the Sex, to our brutal Lust, and unbounded Inclination

Marriage is an Institution of the SUPREME BEING; who best knew our Make, and the Necessity of confining our licentious Desires; the Indulgence of which, is always attended with Remorse; and often, with Misery and Disgrace. I grant, the Love founded on no other Basis, than a pretty Face; justly deserves the Title of Madness and Folly: But where there is a reciprocal Affection, arising from a Knowledge of each others Virtues; we may promise ourselves in Marriage, all the Felicity, that can be expected from Society, in this imperfect State. And if we Seek a Companion, from any other Motive, it is generally for Want of Principle in ourselves; and not to be wondered, that we suffer Ship-wreck on the Rock of Disappointment; and that our cloyed Appetites, fly to some new Object; in Search of that Satisfaction, which we still seek in vain.

As to his calling Wedlock a State of Slavery, it is false; the Truth is, there is no greater Slave in Nature, than a Man in the Service of Satan; hunting after Happiness in the Gratification of his Senses; And I have often been surprized, that Ladies of Judgment, and not wanting Penetration in other matters; should with so little Caution, trust their Liberty and Comfort, in the Hands of such a fickle, ungrateful, and inconstant Creature.

I shall close with this Advice, to you, & the rest of your pious Acquaintance; ...t Whenever you are tempted, to think lightly of a conjugal Life, read the 19th Chap. of St. Matthew; where, the greatest Man that ever was, says, He that made them in the Beginning, made them Male and Female: And Said; For this cause, shall a Man leave his Father, and Mother, and shall cleave unto his Wife: and they twain shall be one Flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one Flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no Man put asunder ...And instead of Mr. Osborn; consult that wise Author St. Paul; and you will find, in his excellent Epistle to the Hebrews, that Marriage is honourable in all, and the Bed undefiled but Whoremongers and Adulterers, God will judge.

Your T

Portsmouth, Feb. 12. 1761: